PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WVEC) -- A judge agreed with a jury's recommendation that a man convicted of murdering two people should spend 70 years in prison.
The judge imposed the sentence on Winston Bernard Black, Jr. Monday morning.
A jury convicted Black in January for the killings of James David Gough and Ann Marie Gilkerson in 2012.
Prosecutors said Black stabbed Gough two dozen times before putting his body into an SUV and setting the SUV on fire.
Later that day, Black stabbed Gilkerson 123 times in Port Norfolk because she knew where he was when he killed Gough.
In court, Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Carmen Cabrero read several portions of victim impact statements, including testimony from the woman who discovered Gilkerson’s body. The woman stated she was scared for her life after the discovery and she slept with a knife in her bed frame for ten months.
Deputy Chief Commonwealth’s Attorney Cedric Wiggins stated the victim’s families have been through numerous court hearings and are pleased with the judge’s sentence.
“It's been very painful for them, and it is a good and relief for us that they have finally been able to get closure after this incident,” said Wiggins.
After court, 13NewsNow spoke with Theresa Bowers, Gough’s older sister, who said she’s glad Black will serve 70 years behind bars.
"I just can't look at another person, someone who is supposed to be another human being and imagine that they could do that to someone else,” said Bowers, referring to her brother’s murder. “So I'm very confused when I see this person walk into court."
13NewsNow also spoke with Dianne Ringer, Black’s attorney.
“It's very sobering,” said Ringer. “We feel for the families, for the people that have been affected by this. These were horrible crimes, but Mr. black still maintains his innocence and we intend to appeal.”
Black faces a third murder charge in the 2011 death of Samuel L. Martin and will go to trial April 30.
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